The role of Victim Blaming in The Legal System

This thesis examines the phenomenon of victim blaming, particularly in cases of sexual violence and gender-based crimes, analysing its origins, legal frameworks, and real-world implications. The research explores how victims are often held responsible for the violence they suffer, shifting accountability away from perpetrators and creating barriers to justice. Despite the existence of International, European, and National legal protections, victim blaming remains prevalent in judicial proceedings, where survivors are frequently scrutinised rather than supported. The study adopts a multidisciplinary approach, combining legal analysis, sociological perspectives, and case study methodology. The research highlights that while significant legal progress has been made to protect victims, structural weaknesses and cultural biases within judicial systems continue to perpetuate victim blaming. Courts and law enforcement agencies often fail to fully apply protective legislation, leading to secondary victimization of survivors. The study concludes that legal reforms alone are insufficient to eradicate victim blaming; a cultural shift and institutional change within judicial systems are necessary. The thesis calls for judicial training programs, awareness campaigns, and stricter enforcement of victim protection laws to bridge the gap between formal legal frameworks and their real-world application. Only through these combined efforts can justice systems truly protect and support survivors, ensuring that victim blaming is eliminated both in legal practice and in broader societal attitudes.